Herald of Steel

Although there had already been many clues before which nudged Lady Parthia to believe in Alexander's claim of divinity, it was this small, unremarkable invention that proved to be the unlikely straw that broke the camel's back.

This was because Lady Parthia had spent many years on this problem yet without any result, to the point she almost became convinced there was no solution.

She even began to think coin clippings were not a bug of the system but a feature. These thefts happened and you had to just deal with them.

Hence upon seeing her being proven otherwise….

'Who else could have solved this problem that has been plaguing us for so long? Only the gods could come to produce something so simple and elegant,' Lady Parthia at last half admired, half lampooned.

The former was self explanatory, while the latter feeling was felt over the 'mistake' of picking a fight with such a foe with such providence.

'Oh… if you I had advised you before dear, then Ponti… Lyde… and the others would be alive. We would still have our country.'

Lady Parthia was naturally still sad over the deaths her family and her country suffered due to Alexander's invasion, thus internally mourning the loss of her sons and husband.

But she did not blame Alexander for causing this.

No, at first she only chalked this up as collateral of war, and the fate of a loser decreed by the heavens themselves. Then she even felt a bit grateful that Alexander had chosen to show them leniency and let them preserve much of their status and power.

Losing royal families did not usually have it so good.

But now she began to blame her husband Perseus for starting the fight in the first place.

'Alexander was already willing to talk peace. Oh… if only you had listened!'

Suddenly Lady Parthia even began to think it was only right that they lost and that Alexander deserved to conquer them, for they had violated the favor of the heavens.

…..

Alexander would remain oblivious to the subtle but extreme changes happening to the lady in front of him. He might not have even considered such an intense reaction was possible because to him the ridges on the coin were a part of life.

In fact, it was perhaps even more incredible for him to see coins without these 'patterns', and always wondered by it took until the 17th century to come up with such a simple solution.

But that was it about human inventions, wasn't it?

Sometimes it took them a long time to figure out even seemingly very simple things.

Thus focusing more on Lady Nanazin's burst of exclamation confirming his heavenly status, Alexander quickly produced a mysterious smile, and responded,

"Hehehe, well let's not talk about these things out aloud Lady Nanazin. There is only one divine family in this world and they live in the capital."

"...." The Adhanian Queen smirked at the evasive answer because Alexander's words were basically a confirmation of his claim minus shouting it out aloud.

But since the man himself was unwilling to come out outright the curly haired lady deferred to his choice, as did the Tibian queen, only with a lot of complex feelings hidden deep within.

While at this point Alexander decided to steer the conversation back to the topic of coins and chimed,

"Now there is a reason why I called you here my ladies. About these coins… how do you think the other nobles will react to this tamper proofing method."

"I am sure both of my ladies have at one point or another had to deal with coin clippers and currency debasement and are well aware of what goes on behind these acts. So will they try to stop me from using this?"

"....." Lady Parthia was seen sinking into deep thought at the question, lightly muttering to herself with a frown, "Hmmm… that is to say, will the Adhanian royal family step in?"

Being a skilled politician, the Tibian queen could not discount that possibility.

"You are thinking about it too much, Alexander!" The mature lady's thoughts however were quickly shattered by a boisterous Lady Nanazin, who very dissimively swung her dainty arms, and then sneered with raw bloodlust, "This design is too effective. If any noble dares object, just have him quartered for colluding with the clippers! Why else would he object?"

Alexander clearly noticed a very clear current of anger and bitterness in Lady Nanazin as she made this ruling, making him suspect she too had suffered from this problem back when she was in charge of Ptolemy's books.

While on the other side, Lady Nanazin was still not finished, but after that little venting, seemed to calm down.

So releasing a small sigh, she started to gently roll the ridges between her fingers, before turning to announce in a definite tone,

"As a matter of fact, every noble will likely scramble to be the first to implement these ridges. Otherwise, his own currency will get chipped away and stolen but he would not be able to do the same to his rivals. Even the royal court will do the same with the ropal." Explore new worlds at empire

Alexander became visibly relieved at the reasonable 'prophecy'.

"That's good. I was afraid Ptolo… His Majesty would make trouble for changing the ropal. It is good that it won't likely happen." His repeating the words went to show just how much Alexander had staked on this.

"Hmmmp! Of course he would not. Not when you almost lost your land getting those dies. They have to be worth it!" Lady Nanazin from the side insisted on her words, while at the same time taking a shot at Lady Parthia as Perseus had almost taken Zanzan while Alexander was away.

Reminding the Tibian queen of the previous bad blood was perhaps her way of getting back for losing twice in a row.

...

Alexander ignored this small jab and before things could get turn ugly, quickly turned the group's focus to the next matter.

"Lady Nanazin, now that we have a new currency… there is also another thing I would like you to do. I have been thinking of starting a sort of counting house for a long time. This house would lend out small amounts of money to current and potential businesses, helping them grow."

"I know that you used to keep His Majesty's books. So I was wondering if you might be interested."

This sudden offer out of nowhere quickly brought Lady Nanazin out from her other distracting thoughts, "Oh? I did not know you were interested in loan sharking Alexander. You cannot possibly be short on money right?" She asked in a tone filled with surprise and even more prominently disdain.

While Alexander's lips visibly twitched at the unflattering label, Lady Nanazin did not seem to to notice and simply continued without a break, explaining the reason for her words.

"This is a business exclusively controlled by the temples and a few powerful nobles. They control all the lending in the country and are fiercely protective. It would not be wise to step on their toes. So if you are not strapped for cash then I suggest you do not wet your feet in this dirty business." Her advice was made in a firm, sincere voice, genuinely looking out for her man.

But Alexander also noticed it was tingled with a bit of fear, so he could help but smirk,

"Oh, it seems my lady had a not so favorable view of them. Did you come across them during your time with Ptolomy?"

"...." Lady Nanazin first produced a thin, weak smile at this, as if remembering some unpleasant memories.

But then her face suddenly turned extremely wicked and malicious,

"Where do you think I got all those burn marks around my body? They did that to me because that limp could not pay. Every day I want to burn each of those bastards at the stake a thousand times over!"

Lady Nanazin's answer was more of a shout than a statement, her eyes blazing and her abundant chest heavily heaving with unfiltered grievance

"....." Alexander produced a slightly guilty face at this. He had no idea such an innocuous question would lead to something so dramatic.

But quickly figuring out the story, Alexander could see the reason behind Lady Nanazin's answer.

Ptolomy likely borrowed a lot of money to gain supporters for his rebellion and in exchange for this coin, these 'donors' got to enjoy a piece of the 'Queen' for the night.

Lady Nanazin might have framed it like Ptolomy being unable to pay leadng to her enduring those excruciating nights and those 'perverted' parties but Alexander thought was highly unlikely to be the case.

Because on several other separate occasions, Lady Nanazin had told Alexander that prior to the rebellion, Ptomoly had almost no money and so she had to get creative to keep the books black.

This was probably one of those creative ways.

Lady Nanazin did not outright reveal this openly probably because she felt too ashamed for selling herself.

And since the lady was unwilling to open herself, Alexander certainly did not have the heart to poke at the sore spot.

Instead widening his eyes a bit, Alexander hummed, "Oh, even the temples are involved in this? I did not know that!"

Let us say no to piracy! Don't take part in a crime! Don't patronize thieves!

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